"In my garden there is a large place for sentiment. My garden of flowers is also my garden of thoughts and dreams. The thoughts grow as freely as the flowers, and the dreams are as beautiful." (~Abram L. Urban)

Monday, March 09, 2009

Wiche Hazel

A present to myself was this Witch Hazel, bought from Hampsons for ten pounds. I have wanted one for years after seeing them here and in Paris. The Witch Hazel's flowers, fruit, and next years leaf buds all grow on the same part of the branch. The botanical name Hamamalis means "together with fruit". The wanderful yellow flowers give off a citrus like scent which is lovely to smell in the cold mornings. The Flowers have the look of peeled oranges and lemons, with the fragrance to match

They are always sold like this in flower, so I can look forward to seeing the leaves appear then change in the autumn to fiery colours before they drop, and start the regrowth all over again. I have been sat in the kitchen today watching the garden being blown around by some strong winds. The spring bulbs seem to have had a growth spurt and the green strap leaves are all over the borders, and in the planter boxes. Masses of green spears thrusting up from the soil. Buds are swelling on the Roses, Sambuca, and the Lilac Tree buds are unfurling. Even the Apple tree has some new growth from the bare stems. Since I tidied up a few days ago there is not much to do in the garden except watch it grow, and wait for the spring flowers to come. The Witch Hazel has dropped all of the yellow flowers now, so the leaves will come soon. I think they are magical tree's. Wiche was old english for pliant or bendable, and hazel as they were used for divining rods. I can see the witches using the twigs to divine water and ley lines. The flowers look like magic as they drip from the dark branches..